OVERVIEW

In this online program, you will master all the skills you need to begin a career as a physical therapy aide. You will learn what physical therapy entails, identify the responsibilities of a PT aide, and develop a working knowledge of anatomy and medical terminology. In addition, you will get a solid grounding in patient care skills, infection control, and the legal and ethical regulations that affect healthcare providers. By the end of the program, you will be fully prepared to obtain an entry-level position as a PT aide in a healthcare facility.

OBJECTIVE

Upon successful completion of the Physical Therapy Aide program, you will:

Have a fundamental understanding of the practice of physical therapy and the differences between PTs, PTAs, and PT aides.

Be familiar with the organization of the human body and important anatomical terminology.

Understand the basics of pathology, vital signs, and principles of treatment.

Be knowledgeable about the history of infection control, specific types of pathogens, transmission of infection, the disease process, and how to prevent the spread of infection.

Be able to identify the causes, risk factors, staging, treatment, and prevention of pressure ulcers.

Understand the anatomy of the spine, proper posture, and correct body mechanics.

Know how to transfer patients safely in a variety of settings.

Understand the features and functions of wheelchairs.

Appreciate the complexity of a normal gait pattern and how different types of disorders affect gait.

Know the basics about ambulation aids.

Be prepared to assist patients with ambulation-related activities.

Be familiar with the correct way to position and drape patients.

Have a basic understanding of the anatomy of the body’s muscular, skeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, and nervous systems.

Understand principles of treatment of the muscular and skeletal systems.

Understand principles of treatment of the cardiovascular, respiratory, and nervous systems.

Be familiar with the rest of the body’s organ systems.

Know how to communicate effectively in a physical therapy setting.

Be aware of the legal and ethical issues that affect PT aides.

Be prepared to begin your search for employment as a PT aide.

DETAILS

Are you seeking a career in the fast-growing, high-demand field of healthcare? In this program, you will gain all the skills and information you need to get a job as a physical therapy aide.

First, you will learn what physical therapy entails and explore the different roles of physical therapists, physical therapy assistants, and physical therapy aides. Next, you will discover how therapists evaluate and treat patients and see how PT aides assist them in their important work.

After that, you will learn how to communicate effectively with patients and colleagues and find out how healthcare professionals document the treatments they provide. You’ll also receive a thorough grounding in the principles of ethics and law as they apply to the healthcare field.

As a physical therapy professional, you will need to have a basic knowledge of medical terminology and human anatomy. In this program, you’ll study all of the body’s organ systems, discover the meanings of common terms used in the physical therapy field, and explore the disorders that can cause patients to need physical therapy treatment. You will also learn about gait patterns and the medical problems that affect them.

In your career as a PT aide, you will often work with patients who are in bed or in wheelchairs, so these lessons cover techniques for preventing pressure sores and safely transferring patients. In addition, you will find out how to position and drape patients and become familiar with walkers and other ambulation aids. In addition, while preventing infection is crucial in a healthcare setting, this program will teach you the fundamentals of infection control.

Last but not least, you will receive tips for finding a job in the healthcare field. You do not need any special certification to become a physical therapy aide, so by the time you complete this program, you will be fully prepared to jump into your new career!

Upon registration, you are given six months to complete this program.

OUTLINE

Lesson 1 – Introduction to Physical Therapy

Your Instructor

History of Physical Therapy

The Physical Therapy Evaluation

Physical Therapy Treatment

The Rehabilitation Team

Responsibilities, Duties, and Roles of the PT, PTA, and PT Aide

Lesson 2 – Organization of the Human Body

Levels of Organization

Body Regions

Body Cavities

Abdominopelvic Regions and Quadrants

Body and Body Parts Sections

Directional Terms

Lesson 3 – Basics of Pathology

Homeostasis

Negative Feedback

Vital Signs

Important Definitions Related to Pathology

Principles of Treatment of Pathology

Lesson 4 – Infection Control

History of Infection Control

Types of Pathogens

Transmission of Infection

The Disease Process

Preventing the Spread of Infection

Lesson 5 – Pressure Ulcers

Causes of Pressure Ulcers

Risk Factors for Pressure Ulcers

Staging of Pressure Ulcers

Treatment of Pressure Ulcers

Prevention of Pressure Ulcers

Lesson 6 – Preventing Injuries

Introduction to Body Mechanics

Anatomy of the Spine

Importance of Correct Posture

Principles and Concepts of Proper Body Mechanics

Lifting Principles and Techniques

Pushing, Pulling, Reaching, and Carrying

Lesson 7 - Transferring Patients Safely

Terminology for Transfers

Principles of Safe Transfers and Special Precautions

Mobility Activities for Bed

Specific Standing, Sitting, and Lifting Transfers

Use of Mechanical Equipment

Lesson 8 – Use of Wheelchairs

Proper Selection and Fit of Wheelchairs

Patient and Family Education

Wheelchair Components and Features

Types of Wheelchairs

Assisted Functional Activities

Independent Functional Activities

Lesson 9 – Gait

Language of Joint Movement

Muscles of the Lower Extremities

Normal Gait Cycle

Disorders That Can Affect Gait

Abnormal Gait Patterns

Lesson 10 – Ambulation Aides

Measurement and Fit of Ambulation Aids

General Safety Precautions

Tilt Tables and Parallel Bars

Use of Walkers

Use of Crutches

Use of Canes

Lesson 11 – Ambulation Activities

Changing Directions

Curbs and Inclines

Stairs

Doors, Elevators, and Automobiles

Floors and Falls

Lesson 12 – Draping and Positioning of Patients

Principles of Correct Positioning and Draping

Applying Principles to Different Positions

Preventive Positioning

Draping Patients Correctly

Lesson 13 – Muscular System

Functions and Characteristics of Skeletal Muscle Tissue

Anatomy of Skeletal Muscles

Contraction of Skeletal Muscles

Diseases Affecting the Muscular System

Common Injuries to the Muscular System

Lesson 14 – Skeletal System

Organization of the Skeleton

Joints

Types of Bone Tissue

Common Diseases of Bones and Joints

Common Injuries to Bones and Joints

Lesson 15 – Exercise for the Treatment of the Muscular and Skeletal Systems

How Muscles, Bones, and Joints Work Together

Exercise to Maintain Range of Motion

Exercise to Increase Muscle Strength and Endurance

Exercise Parameters

Supervising a Patient’s Exercise Program

Lesson 16 – Physical Modalities for the Treatment of the Muscular and Skeletal Systems

REQUIREMENTS

This program is compatible with PC and a variety of browsers and browser versions. The software provided with this program is not compatible with Mac. You will need Adobe Flash and Adobe Reader. You will need an Internet connection (high-speed is recommended) and email capability.

The textbooks for this course are covered in your tuition. They are:

Principles and Techniques of Patient Care, 5th Edition

Human Diseases, 3rd Edition

PREREQUISITES

There are no prerequisites for this program. It’s ideal for you if you are interested in obtaining an entry-level position in the popular healthcare field of physical therapy.

INSTRUCTOR

Holly Trimble has a bachelor's degree in physical therapy from the University of Colorado and a master's degree in pediatric physical therapy from Boston University. She completed an additional 15 credit hours in education at the doctoral level. She worked as a physical therapist for more than 15 years for a school district, infant learning program, and private PT agencies. In addition, she has worked as a private tutor for children with learning disabilities.

Holly has lectured on health-related topics to all age groups, from school-age children to adults, and has been a guest speaker at colleges and universities including Wellesley College, Boston College, MIT, and Boston University. She is also an adjunct professor, teaching college-level anatomy and physiology courses online and in the classroom. She recently received the Adjunct Faculty Excellence Award at the college where she teaches.

FAQS

1. Can I register for programs if I am an international student?

Yes, because ed2go programs are online you never have to actually travel to the school. Most schools offer telephone or online registration.

2. How long does it take to complete a program?

All of our programs are self-paced and open enrollment, so you can start them when you want and finish them at your own pace. Upon registering, you are given six months to complete this program.

3. Do I have to buy additional materials?

All the materials you'll need are included, and their cost will be covered by your tuition. ed2go will ship all materials ground service upon enrollment.

4. Can I get financial assistance?

ed2go courses are non-credit courses, so they do not qualify for federal aid. In some states, vocational rehab or workforce development boards will pay for qualified students to take our courses.

5. What happens when I complete the program?

Upon successful completion of the program, you will be awarded a certificate of completion.

6. Am I guaranteed a job?

ed2go programs will provide you with the skills you need to obtain an entry-level position in most cases. We don't provide direct job placement services, but our facilitators and career counselors will help you build your resume and are available to give advice on finding your first job. Facilitators will also be available to use as a professional reference upon completion of the program. Potential students should always do research on the job market in their area before registering.

7. Who will be my instructor?

Each student is paired up with a facilitator for one-on-one interaction. The facilitator will be available (via email) to answer any questions you may have and to provide feedback on your performance. All of our facilitators are successful working professionals in the fields in which they teach.

8. What software or hardware do I need in order to take online programs and what are the system requirements?

In order to take our online programs, you must have access to a computer and the Internet. You can access the program contents from any Web-enabled computer. You don't have to use the same computer to log-in to the program every time. We recommend that you have a word-processing program (Microsoft Word is best) and the latest version of Internet Explorer.

9. Can I use a Mac?

This software provided with this program is not compatible with a Mac.

10. How can I get more information about the program?

If you have questions that are not answered on our website, please feel free to contact us via LIVE chat (click the button toward the top of the page). If you are visiting us during non-business hours, please feel free to send us a question using the "Contact Us" form to the right. You may also call us at 1-855-520-6806. We will answer your questions promptly.

11. When can I start the program?

Our programs are all open enrollment. You can register and start the program as soon as you are ready.

Please note: Once the program curriculum is accessed online or through submission of a material shipment confirmation, refunds cannot be issued.

12. Will this course license me to work as a physical therapy aide?

Physical therapy aides are non-licensed healthcare workers. The certificate you’ll earn through this program, however, will show prospective employers that you took the time and effort to obtain training for this career.

13. What if I don't have enough time to complete my program within the time frame provided?

The time allotted to complete your program has been
calculated based on the number of hours for each program, so don't worry
too much about not completing in time. If, after a concerted effort,
you are still unable to complete, your Student Advisor will help you
work out a suitable completion date. Please note that a fee may be
charged for an extension.

REVIEWS

I enjoyed the feedback in my lesson assignments. It made me feel like what I did meant something and wasn't just ignored.- S.G., University College at Bath/Brunswick

Every aspect was awesome, never gets boring and keeps your attention. I wasn't big on school but this is the best. I had fun and my teacher was real and quick with help. I am going to be taking another course here in the next month and am looking forward to it. Thanks to everyone.- M.H., University of Texas at Arlington, Division of Continuing Education

The facilitator, Holly, was excellent. I enjoyed the course, learned a lot, and feel prepared to go out and apply for a job.- T.J., Mira Costa College

I enjoyed the course material that was given and the freedom to complete the required readings and assignments at my own pace. Every aspect of this course was greater than what I had expected!- S.P., Technical College of the Lowcountry

Everything was wonderful and everyone was very helpful. I enjoyed everything about this service. My instructor was awesome! She always gave me helpful and positive feedback.- W.P., University of Texas at Arlington, Division of Continuing Education

I enjoyed the fact that it was an at-your-own-pace course, which allowed me to work around anything else I had going on. The course text, assignments, and quizzes were also very easy to understand and do and the facilitator always included a comment with assignment grade to indicate what I did right or wrong.- K.P., Waubonsee Community College

I enjoyed doing my work at my own pace. When I asked questions I received immediate responses and that’s a big plus for me.- W.D., Technical College of the Lowcountry

This is my first time taking an online course and it was more fun than a traditional class. It was very easy to understand the information. The exercises in this program enhanced my skills.- Y.Y., Three Rivers Community College

My instructor, Ms. Holly was awesome and helpful!- J.O., California State University San Marcos